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W. W. HOPKINS,

STEADYING DEVICE FOR SCALE PLATFORMS: No, 248,863. Patented Nov. 1; 1881.

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WZZ'n/w sea l'rwezzwr MO77- M (ii/(wow ,fl I W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM W. HOPKINS, OF THORNTOWN, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO HOPKINS IMPROVED SCALE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

STEADYING DEVICE FOR SCALE-PLATFORMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 248,863, dated November 1, 1881.

Application filed May 31, 1881.

To all whomtt may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM W. EloPKINs, of Thorntown, county of Boone, State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Scale-Platforms, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to an improved device for holding the platform of heavy stock or farm scales steady and firm while aloa-ded wagon or stock is driven upon it, and for releasing the same and leaving the platform perfectly free to rest upon the levers during the process of weighing.

Itconsistsin narrow strips hinged to theends of the platform, and certain iods and a lever for operating them, as hereinafter described.

Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views, showing a scale-platform with my device attached,

Fig. 1 showing it in position for receiving the load, and Fig. 2 showing it in position for weighing.

Narrow boards a a are hinged to the ends of the platform, as shown. They are of sufficient length and width to fill the space at each end of the platform between it and the surrounding frame. The outside edge of each board is beveled or cut under, forming a blunt wedge, which easily enters and closely fills the space.

boards a a.

e is a lever secured by its fulcrum to the edge of the platform near the graduated beam-support.

3 5 r r are rods pivoted to the arms d (Z and to the lever e at equal distance above and below the fulcrum.

The operation of my device is as follows:

(I d are short arms projecting upward from (N0 model.)

The boards a fill closely the space between the platform and frame at all times, except when weighing, the wedge shape of their outer edge adapting them to fit closely. In this position they exclude all dirt or snow from the scale underneath, and also hold the platform rigidly against movementon the knife-edges. When 5 the load to be weighed has been drawn into position on the platform the boards are raised quickly and easily, by means of the lever c and rods 1" r, to the position shown in Fig. 2, thus leaving the platform free from contact with the surrounding parts. After weighing these boards'are as quickly thrown down into place again and hold the platform steady while the load is drawn off.

By the use of this device I am enabled to usea wider opening between the ends of the platform and the frame than heretofore, and I thereby lessen the danger of inaccuracies in weighingcaused by contactofthe platform and frame. I also prevent dirt and other obstruc- 6: tion falling into the work below.

I claim as my invention-- 1. In combination with the platform of a scale, the narrow stripsa a, hinged thereto and arranged to fill closely the space between the 6 platform and frame, in the manner shown and described.

2. In combination with the strips a a and the platform of a scale, the lever e and rods 0' r, all arranged substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

WILLIAM W. HOPKINS.

Witnesses:

H. P. H001), W. V. HAWK. 

